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HAM ©
2016
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IMPORTANT:
Each InVector can control and define only its A port, other A ports must be zeroed. A virtual
switch can only be used to connect an R port to its associated A port (R1 to A1, R2 to A2, etc.) - it can
not be used for “cross switching.”
Attributes
,
Rules
and
Buttons
are available as in any other type of switch but they are of little use with a Virtual
Switch.
N-PLEXER
Another special part of the uLINK network is the
N-Plexer. N-plexer is an RF box which allows a
single A port to be expanded (split) to multiple R
ports without switching. Typical examples of an
N-plexer are a receiving splitter, the BCC
“Beverage Box”, a multi-band antenna with
separate feedlines for each band (e.g., Force 12
C31XR), and classic diplexer or triplexer.
IMPORTANT: N-Plexer is the ONLY RF Box
that allows connections from multiple
R ports to a single A port.
Because the A port of the N-Plexer can be
connected to RF boxes which requires additional
control (for example 4 square antenna with
direction control), only one user (start point) can
be the “master” of that control. Therefore no matter how many R ports an N-Plexer has it looks like a box with
two A ports. The first A port is the main (Antenna) port and the radio (SMD) using that A port is the “Master of
control.” The second A port is a mirror of the main port (marked “term”) and all other stations connect to the
second A port through separate R ports. The Term port serves as the “destination” for all non “Master”
connections.
The TERM port cannot be left unconnected but also has no physical connection so it must be terminated by a
“virtual” termination - in this case a “special box” called an “N-plexer terminator.” For convenience, it is wise to
name each N-Plexer terminator the same as the antenna connected to the main port with an added apostrophe
or other symbol to make it easy to recognize the master and mirror antennas.
Like the virtual switch, N-Plexer does not need any control outputs. However, since it is controlled it must have a
Control box associated with the (virtual) RF box. Again, we use a virtual unit of zero (0) outputs on any uLINK
RELAY module defined on the Control Boxes tab.
Switching
Delay
and
Break before make delay
can be zero
because switch is virtual and the
Output count
is zero because the control is entirely by InVector.
The InVector table
should not be changed
, it is always defined based on the number of R ports. The most
important part of defining an N-Plexer is to properly set the frequency range and “TX allowed” flag for each port.
WARNING: Be very careful in defining frequency ranges and TX allowed attribute for each R port. If
transmitting is allowed with the N-plexer, insure that the frequency range of each R port is unique
and that there is no overlap. Any mistake may cause severe damage to receivers connected to
other ports of the N-Plexer!
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